30k-60k-90k Car Check Ups

Defying · Feb 8, 2012

My car is just over the 30k mark, I plan on keeping it for a while so I do what I can to take care of it....

Is it necessary to take it to the dealer for this maintence? I assumed it was. I scheduled an appointment but they couldn't give me a price, saying it will be $250-$600 depending what needs to be done...

I do have a reliable mechanic I trust, should I consider taking it there?

bigbet1234 · Feb 8, 2012

You're a genius

bigbet1234 · Feb 8, 2012

Why not ask the "reliable mechanic?"

aceduecetrey · Feb 8, 2012

Bogbet is on fire today. What is the cocktail of choice?

Defying · Feb 8, 2012

bigbet1234 said:
Why not ask the "reliable mechanic?"

I called before this thread... got his secertary who didn't even know what the 30k check up entailed. He was too busy to talk.

Also, this is something that I am sure a large number of posters have dealt with, so theres probably some advice based on experience to be given on the subject.

bigbet1234 · Feb 8, 2012

Just bustin balls. lol

good luck

Defying said:
I called before this thread... got his secertary who didn't even know what the 30k check up entailed. He was too busy to talk.

Also, this is something that I am sure a large number of posters have dealt with, so theres probably some advice based on experience to be given on the subject.

CoachCB · Feb 8, 2012

Take it to Puddy....and make sure they don't try to sell you a "johnson rod".

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buddyboy · Feb 8, 2012

most cars have a thing called a "glove box" or "glove compartment"

car manufacturers like to put the books in them called "manuals"

inside these mysterious books you can look up things like how to turn on your radio and also if you look carefully you just might find something called a service schedule.

the nice thing about this service schedule is that it is special and unique for your make, model and year of car.

it has info on what needs done and at how many miles it needs done at.

It has pictures so you can find the secret latch that lets you open the hood of your car and look at the engine. It even has pages that give step by step instructions on how to check engine oil and windshield wiper fluid.

if you can't find your glove box, or if you can find your glove box and the magic book isn't in there you might want to try this secret but helpful webpage

www.google.com

when you go to this site just type in your make, model and year of car and also the words "service schedule" "click" on search

I know it sounds crazy but after you find all that info you can then just add the word "cost"

I would do it for you but I'm not sure what kind of car you drive.

buddyboy · Feb 8, 2012

couldn't help myself... seriously check your manual dude

Defying · Feb 8, 2012

buddyboy said:
most cars have a thing called a "glove box" or "glove compartment"

car manufacturers like to put the books in them called "manuals"

inside these mysterious books you can look up things like how to turn on your radio and also if you look carefully you just might find something called a service schedule.

the nice thing about this service schedule is that it is special and unique for your make, model and year of car.

it has info on what needs done and at how many miles it needs done at.

It has pictures so you can find the secret latch that lets you open the hood of your car and look at the engine. It even has pages that give step by step instructions on how to check engine oil and windshield wiper fluid.

if you can't find your glove box, or if you can find your glove box and the magic book isn't in there you might want to try this secret but helpful webpage

www.google.com

when you go to this site just type in your make, model and year of car and also the words "service schedule" "click" on search

I know it sounds crazy but after you find all that info you can then just add the word "cost"

I would do it for you but I'm not sure what kind of car you drive.

has to be the most helpful thread in the history of the RX.

CoachCB · Feb 8, 2012

Buddy, good stuff!! Thanks for the laugh...

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Dante · Feb 8, 2012

look boatboatboat does not do them on his van so i say forget about them

Dude · Feb 8, 2012

You didnt say what type of Car it is. But I would Never Take it to the Dealer. I did it once in my life and it cost me 700 dollars. Just make sure you do the regular oil changes and your good to go. The Dealer will rape you. If you have to take it to the local mechanic and have him change the fluids and check the belts. Thats it.

hosnatcher · Feb 8, 2012

Those 30, 60, 90 check ups played out in the early 90's along with the carburetor. New cars are maintenance free, they have built in diagnostic computers and 100k emissions warranties.

Just get your oil change when you dip under 10%. Have the mechanic always top off all of your other fluids when you change the oil. Rotate your tires when you need to and you are good to go.

bigtendominator · Feb 9, 2012

Great post buddy M. ROFLMAO

taylor13 · Feb 9, 2012

hosnatcher said:
Those 30, 60, 90 check ups played out in the early 90's along with the carburetor. New cars are maintenance free, they have built in diagnostic computers and 100k emissions warranties.

Just get your oil change when you dip under 10%. Have the mechanic always top off all of your other fluids when you change the oil. Rotate your tires when you need to and you are good to go.

Bingo...keep the fluids/tires in good shape and you won't have any trouble. I drive a 2000 1/2 ton silverado with 160k miles on it. Never once been in the shop and this is my 3rd silverado with over 130k miles on it. Wife drives a 2010 camry, still under warranty so id take it to them if needed, but I doubt ill need it. Extended warranties on cars these days is equivalent to a sucker bet..just keep up with the maintenance and it will run for a long ass time

Defying · Feb 10, 2012

well, I took it into the dealership to get more information... found some really surprising information.... I did some researched and spent some time talking to a mechanic buddy of mine (lives4 hours away which is why he isn't doing the work).... figured I would share what I learned...

So my mechanic friend looked up a checklist for my car... its different for every vehicle .. he said my car (Nissan Altima) is surprisingly long. like longest he has seen.....

The Dealership had different "packages" the min one for my car was $559.... but the kicker was I didn't need a transmission flush which is the most expensive part... So I was like well if I don't need this why am I paying for it. He said they take $50 off the price.... i asked the price of just the transmission flush, he said $180... whatever.. Looking at hte dealership list it was mostly "checking" stuff...

Comes to find out that large check list take 3 hours to complete! So at $100 an hour, I was paying $300 just for them to do that checklsit and that's not replacing anything thats wrong... granted im sure its preventive mainantence but im not paying$300 for you to just look at everything.... ill make a trip up to kick it with my friend and throw him some cash to do it...

I ended up just getting the Cabin Air Filter replaced, regular air filters replaced, coolant flush and oil change for $185 at the dealership.... that's all that's really done that doesn't include "checking" things...

The craziest thing I learned is I have a CVT transmission... At Nissan to flush it its $180... my buddy said their shops charges $500 for that alone... he said they can't even get the fluid for the flush for that cheap..... Oh and the great thing if you have a CVT transmission is the guy at the dealership said the earliest he ever had to do one was 100k, usually around 120k is when you want to do it.

So if you have a CVT transmission make sure you take it to the dealership ... hugeeee savings....

And now we know.... information google wouldn't of told me directly.

boatboatboat · Feb 10, 2012

Dante said:
look boatboatboat does not do them on his van so i say forget about them

That's not true.

I have done 16 30,000 mile checkups on my van.

Maintenance is very important.

Over the years, one little tip I have learned is to get the carpet steam cleaned as often as possible.

Cat piss will cause your floorboards to rust out if not dealt with.

taylor13 · Feb 10, 2012

Defying said:
well, I took it into the dealership to get more information... found some really surprising information.... I did some researched and spent some time talking to a mechanic buddy of mine (lives4 hours away which is why he isn't doing the work).... figured I would share what I learned...

So my mechanic friend looked up a checklist for my car... its different for every vehicle .. he said my car (Nissan Altima) is surprisingly long. like longest he has seen.....

The Dealership had different "packages" the min one for my car was $559.... but the kicker was I didn't need a transmission flush which is the most expensive part... So I was like well if I don't need this why am I paying for it. He said they take $50 off the price.... i asked the price of just the transmission flush, he said $180... whatever.. Looking at hte dealership list it was mostly "checking" stuff...

Comes to find out that large check list take 3 hours to complete! So at $100 an hour, I was paying $300 just for them to do that checklsit and that's not replacing anything thats wrong... granted im sure its preventive mainantence but im not paying$300 for you to just look at everything.... ill make a trip up to kick it with my friend and throw him some cash to do it...

I ended up just getting the Cabin Air Filter replaced, regular air filters replaced, coolant flush and oil change for $185 at the dealership.... that's all that's really done that doesn't include "checking" things...

The craziest thing I learned is I have a CVT transmission... At Nissan to flush it its $180... my buddy said their shops charges $500 for that alone... he said they can't even get the fluid for the flush for that cheap..... Oh and the great thing if you have a CVT transmission is the guy at the dealership said the earliest he ever had to do one was 100k, usually around 120k is when you want to do it.

So if you have a CVT transmission make sure you take it to the dealership ... hugeeee savings....

And now we know.... information google wouldn't of told me directly.

Man, that Nissan will run forever if you just keep the oil changed in it. The rest of it really isn't necessary in a car like that. You can get the transmission flushed for $100 when people run specials, its not a big deal and any quick lube jockey can do it

Defying · Feb 10, 2012

taylor13 said:
Man, that Nissan will run forever if you just keep the oil changed in it. The rest of it really isn't necessary in a car like that. You can get the transmission flushed for $100 when people run specials, its not a big deal and any quick lube jockey can do it

think it's different with a CVT transmission.. but I would tend to agree. I didn't do much with my old car and was running great at 130k... I just had the money and wanted to be safe, and really I went cheap anyways...

thanks though... my girls car is really acting up I had no idea until I had to drive it today... back to saving my pennys so we can get her a nice SUV.